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Washington Post
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
5 works of historical fiction to read this summer
Dorothy's Auntie Em, a traumatized Civil War veteran and a shy artist with a secret are some of the wonderful characters in this summer's noteworthy historical novels. These creative tales reimagine historical and literary moments, adding new dimensions, pondering, 'What if?' Who was Auntie Em before her unforgettable appearance in L. Frank Baum's 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'? Gaynor envisions the iconic character's adolescence and married life in this creative novel. Here Auntie Em, a.k.a. Emily Kelley, is a child of Irish immigrants in Chicago who later, as the married Emily Gale, struggles alongside her husband, Henry, after the 1929 crash. As Emily strives to build a home for the newly orphaned Dorothy, intensifying tornadoes threaten the parched, climate-ravaged Kansas plains, where the locals must employ all their resilience to survive. (Berkley) Who was Auntie Em before her unforgettable appearance in L. Frank Baum's 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'? Gaynor envisions the iconic character's adolescence and married life in this creative novel. Here Auntie Em, a.k.a. Emily Kelley, is a child of Irish immigrants in Chicago who later, as the married Emily Gale, struggles alongside her husband, Henry, after the 1929 crash. As Emily strives to build a home for the newly orphaned Dorothy, intensifying tornadoes threaten the parched, climate-ravaged Kansas plains, where the locals must employ all their resilience to survive. (Berkley) Frederick Heigold, a clocksmith who was rendered mute fighting in the Civil War, leaves his New York state home and strikes out for San Francisco, where he's been invited to mend the city's Union Depot clock. Newly widowed, Frederick is determined to reach his destination, despite encountering numerous obstacles on his cross-country trip. But when he arrives, further troubles await him as the San Andreas Fault threatens to unleash its deadliest earthquake. 'Eden's Clock,' the final stand-alone novel in Lock's American Novels series, considers the place of individualism in the face of natural disaster. (Bellevue Literary Press, July 1) Frederick Heigold, a clocksmith who was rendered mute fighting in the Civil War, leaves his New York state home and strikes out for San Francisco, where he's been invited to mend the city's Union Depot clock. Newly widowed, Frederick is determined to reach his destination, despite encountering numerous obstacles on his cross-country trip. But when he arrives, further troubles await him as the San Andreas Fault threatens to unleash its deadliest earthquake. 'Eden's Clock,' the final stand-alone novel in Lock's American Novels series, considers the place of individualism in the face of natural disaster. (Bellevue Literary Press, July 1) Grace's uncle and aunt provide a home for her in their stately Oxfordshire house — but that's as far as their charity extends. As Grace grows up, she learns to hide herself from everyone in her family except her cousin Charles, with whom she shares a love of art. Grace hides other secrets, too: her skill as an art copyist and her love of women. When Charles goes missing at sea, Grace loses her only ally, until a man appears years later, claiming to be him. As the 19th century ticks toward the 20th, Grace must decide whether he is indeed her cousin changed by life or a particularly accomplished copy of the young man she once knew. (W.W. Norton, July 1) Grace's uncle and aunt provide a home for her in their stately Oxfordshire house — but that's as far as their charity extends. As Grace grows up, she learns to hide herself from everyone in her family except her cousin Charles, with whom she shares a love of art. Grace hides other secrets, too: her skill as an art copyist and her love of women. When Charles goes missing at sea, Grace loses her only ally, until a man appears years later, claiming to be him. As the 19th century ticks toward the 20th, Grace must decide whether he is indeed her cousin changed by life or a particularly accomplished copy of the young man she once knew. (W.W. Norton, July 1) In this debut novel by biographer Clark, Harvard student Anna is torn between her interest in a German architecture student named Christoph and the lingering doubt that there is more to his family history than he reveals. Interspersed through this 1990s love story are interludes set in 1945 that uncover the experiences of Anna's and Christoph's grandfathers in the last months of World War II. Collective guilt and family secrets are knitted throughout this compelling investigation of the war and its enduring impact. (Pantheon) In this debut novel by biographer Clark, Harvard student Anna is torn between her interest in a German architecture student named Christoph and the lingering doubt that there is more to his family history than he reveals. Interspersed through this 1990s love story are interludes set in 1945 that uncover the experiences of Anna's and Christoph's grandfathers in the last months of World War II. Collective guilt and family secrets are knitted throughout this compelling investigation of the war and its enduring impact. (Pantheon) Set in mid-1950s California, the latest historical novel by Clayton considers different forms of love: romantic, friendly and familial. When young actress Isabella Giori — on the cusp of Hollywood fame, having just auditioned for Alfred Hitchcock's next film — is sent off in disgrace to her film studio's secluded cottage in Carmel, she forms a life-changing friendship with neighboring screenwriter Léon Chazan. Sixty years later, Gemma Chazan, in Carmel to sell her grandfather's cottage, finds in his safe an unprocessed roll of camera film and two mysterious screenplays that leave her questioning how well she knew her grandfather and his past. (Harper, July 1) Kat Trigarszky writes historical fiction under the pen name Katharine Rogers. Set in mid-1950s California, the latest historical novel by Clayton considers different forms of love: romantic, friendly and familial. When young actress Isabella Giori — on the cusp of Hollywood fame, having just auditioned for Alfred Hitchcock's next film — is sent off in disgrace to her film studio's secluded cottage in Carmel, she forms a life-changing friendship with neighboring screenwriter Léon Chazan. Sixty years later, Gemma Chazan, in Carmel to sell her grandfather's cottage, finds in his safe an unprocessed roll of camera film and two mysterious screenplays that leave her questioning how well she knew her grandfather and his past. (Harper, July 1) Kat Trigarszky writes historical fiction under the pen name Katharine Rogers.
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
5 takeaways from health insurers' new pledge to improve prior authorization
Nearly seven months after the fatal shooting of an insurance CEO in New York drew widespread attention to health insurers' practice of denying or delaying doctor-ordered care, the largest U.S. insurers agreed Monday to streamline their often cumbersome preapproval system. Dozens of insurance companies, including Cigna, Aetna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare, agreed to several measures, which include making fewer medical procedures subject to prior authorization and speeding up the review process. Insurers also pledged to use clear language when communicating with patients and promised that medical professionals would review coverage denials. While Trump administration officials applauded the insurance industry for its willingness to change, they acknowledged limitations of the agreement. 'The pledge is not a mandate,' Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said during a news conference. 'This is an opportunity for the industry to show itself.' Oz said he wants insurers to eliminate preapprovals for knee arthroscopy, a common, minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and treat knee problems. Chris Klomp, director of the Center for Medicare at CMS, recommended prior authorization be eliminated for vaginal deliveries, colonoscopies, and cataract surgeries, among other procedures. Health insurers said the changes would benefit most Americans, including those with commercial or private coverage, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid managed care. The insurers have also agreed that patients who switch insurance plans may continue receiving treatment or other health care services for 90 days without facing immediate prior authorization requirements imposed by their new insurer. But health policy analysts say prior authorization — a system that forces some people to delay care or abandon treatment — may continue to pose serious health consequences for affected patients. That said, many people may not notice a difference, even if insurers follow through on their new commitments. 'So much of the prior authorization process is behind the black box,' said Kaye Pestaina, director of the Program on Patient and Consumer Protections at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. Often, she said, patients aren't even aware that they're subject to prior authorization requirements until they face a denial. 'I'm not sure how this changes that,' Pestaina said. Oz acknowledged 'violence in the streets' prompted Monday's announcement. Klomp told KFF Health News that insurers were reacting to the shooting because the problem has 'reached a fever pitch.' Health insurance CEOs now move with security details wherever they go, Klomp said. 'There's no question that health insurers have a reputation problem,' said Robert Hartwig, an insurance expert and a clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina. The pledge shows that insurers are hoping to stave off 'more draconian' legislation or regulation in the future, Hartwig said. But government interventions to improve prior authorization will be used 'if we're forced to use them,' Oz said during the news conference. 'The administration has made it clear we're not going to tolerate it anymore,' he said. 'So either you fix it or we're going to fix it.' Here are the key takeaways for consumers: 1. Prior authorization isn't going anywhere. Health insurers will still be allowed to deny doctor-recommended care, which is arguably the biggest criticism that patients and providers level against insurance companies. And it isn't clear how the new commitments will protect the sickest patients, such as those diagnosed with cancer, who need the most expensive treatment. 2. Reform efforts aren't new. Most states have already passed at least one law imposing requirements on insurers, often intended to reduce the time patients spend waiting for answers from their insurance company and to require transparency from insurers about which prescriptions and procedures require preapproval. Some states have also enacted 'gold card' programs for doctors that allow physicians with a robust record of prior authorization approvals to bypass the requirements. Nationally, rules proposed by the first Trump administration and finalized by the Biden administration are already set to take effect next year. They will require insurers to respond to requests within seven days or 72 hours, depending on their urgency, and to process prior authorization requests electronically, instead of by phone or fax, among other changes. Those rules apply only to certain categories of insurance, including Medicare Advantage and Medicaid. Beyond that, some insurance companies committed to improvement long before Monday's announcement. Earlier this year, UnitedHealthcare pledged to reduce prior authorization volume by 10%. Cigna announced its own set of improvements in February. 3. Insurance companies are already supposed to be doing some of these things. For example, the Affordable Care Act already requires insurers to communicate with patients in plain language about health plan benefits and coverage. But denial letters remain confusing because companies tend to use jargon. For instance, AHIP, the health insurance industry trade group, used the term 'non-approved requests' in Monday's announcement. Insurers also pledged that medical professionals would continue to review prior authorization denials. AHIP claims this is 'a standard already in place.' But recent lawsuits allege otherwise, accusing companies of denying claims in a matter of seconds. 4. Health insurers will increasingly rely on artificial intelligence. Health insurers issue millions of denials every year, though most prior authorization requests are quickly, sometimes even instantly, approved. The use of AI in making prior authorization decisions isn't new — and it will probably continue to ramp up, with insurers pledging Monday to issue 80% of prior authorization decisions 'in real-time' by 2027. 'Artificial intelligence should help this tremendously,' Rep. Gregory Murphy (R-N.C.), a physician, said during the news conference. 'But remember, artificial intelligence is only as good as what you put into it,' he added. Results from a survey published by the American Medical Association in February indicated 61% of physicians are concerned that the use of AI by insurance companies is already increasing denials. 5. Key details remain up in the air. Oz said CMS will post a full list of participating insurers this summer, while other details will become public by January. He said insurers have agreed to post data about their use of prior authorization on a public dashboard, but it isn't clear when that platform will be unveiled. The same holds true for 'performance targets' that Oz spoke of during the news conference. He did not name specific targets, indicate how they will be made public, or specify how the government would enforce them. While the AMA, which represents doctors, applauded the announcement, 'patients and physicians will need specifics demonstrating that the latest insurer pledge will yield substantive actions,' the association's president, Bobby Mukkamala, said in a statement. He noted that health insurers made 'past promises' to improve prior authorization in 2018. Meanwhile, it also remains unclear what services insurers will ultimately agree to release from prior authorization requirements. Patient advocates are in the process of identifying 'low-value codes,' Oz said, that should not require preapproval, but it is unknown when those codes will be made public or when insurers will agree to release them from prior authorization rules. Sausser and Galewitz write for KFF Health News, a national newsroom focused on in-depth journalism about health issues and a core program of KFF, a non-profit organization specializing in health policy research, polling, and journalism.
SBS Australia
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- SBS Australia
Is regional Australia more liveable? Indian voices on life beyond top-ranked cities like Melbourne and Sydney
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Hindi-speaking Australians. Ease into the English language and Australian culture. We make learning English convenient, fun and practical.
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
5 takeaways from health insurers' new pledge to improve prior authorization
Nearly seven months after the fatal shooting of an insurance CEO in New York drew widespread attention to health insurers' practice of denying or delaying doctor-ordered care, the largest U.S. insurers agreed this week to streamline their often cumbersome preapproval system. Dozens of insurance companies, including Cigna, Aetna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare, agreed Monday to several measures, which include making fewer medical procedures subject to prior authorization and speeding up the review process. Insurers also pledged to use clear language when communicating with patients and promised that medical professionals would review coverage denials. While Trump administration officials applauded the insurance industry for its willingness to change, they acknowledged limitations of the agreement. 'The pledge is not a mandate,' Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said during a news conference. 'This is an opportunity for the industry to show itself.' Oz said he wants insurers to eliminate preapprovals for knee arthroscopy, a common, minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and treat knee problems. Chris Klomp, director of the Center for Medicare at CMS, recommended prior authorization be eliminated for vaginal deliveries, colonoscopies and cataract surgeries, among other procedures. Health insurers said the changes would benefit most Americans, including those with commercial or private coverage, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care. The insurers have also agreed that patients who switch insurance plans may continue receiving treatment or other health care services for 90 days without facing immediate prior authorization requirements imposed by their new insurer. But health policy analysts say prior authorization — a system that forces some people to delay care or abandon treatment — may continue to pose serious health consequences for affected patients. That said, many people may not notice a difference, even if insurers follow through on their new commitments. 'So much of the prior authorization process is behind the black box,' said Kaye Pestaina, director of the Program on Patient and Consumer Protections at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. Often, she said, patients aren't even aware that they're subject to prior authorization requirements until they face a denial. 'I'm not sure how this changes that,' Pestaina said. The pledge from insurers follows the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot in midtown Manhattan in early December on the way to an investor meeting, forcing the issue of prior authorization to the forefront. Oz acknowledged 'violence in the streets' prompted Monday's announcement. Klomp told KFF Health News that insurers were reacting to the shooting because the problem has 'reached a fever pitch.' Health insurance CEOs now move with security details wherever they go, Klomp said. 'There's no question that health insurers have a reputation problem,' said Robert Hartwig, an insurance expert and a clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina. The pledge shows that insurers are hoping to stave off 'more draconian' legislation or regulation in the future, Hartwig said. But government interventions to improve prior authorization will be used 'if we're forced to use them,' Oz said during the news conference. 'The administration has made it clear we're not going to tolerate it anymore,' he said. 'So either you fix it or we're going to fix it.' Here are the key takeaways for consumers: 1. Prior authorization isn't going anywhere Health insurers will still be allowed to deny doctor-recommended care, which is arguably the biggest criticism that patients and providers level against insurance companies. And it isn't clear how the new commitments will protect the sickest patients, such as those diagnosed with cancer, who need the most expensive treatment. 2. Reform efforts aren't new Most states have already passed at least one law imposing requirements on insurers, often intended to reduce the time patients spend waiting for answers from their insurance company and to require transparency from insurers about which prescriptions and procedures require preapproval. Some states have also enacted 'gold card' programs for doctors that allow physicians with a robust record of prior authorization approvals to bypass the requirements. Nationally, rules proposed by the first Trump administration and finalized by the Biden administration are already set to take effect next year. They will require insurers to respond to requests within seven days or 72 hours, depending on their urgency, and to process prior authorization requests electronically, instead of by phone or fax, among other changes. Those rules apply only to certain categories of insurance, including Medicare Advantage and Medicaid. Beyond that, some insurance companies committed to improvement long before Monday's announcement. Earlier this year, UnitedHealthcare pledged to reduce prior authorization volume by 10%. Cigna announced its own set of improvements in February. 3. Insurance companies are already supposed to be doing some of these things For example, the Affordable Care Act already requires insurers to communicate with patients in plain language about health plan benefits and coverage. But denial letters remain confusing because companies tend to use jargon. For instance, AHIP, the health insurance industry trade group, used the term 'non-approved requests' in Monday's announcement. Insurers also pledged that medical professionals would continue to review prior authorization denials. AHIP claims this is 'a standard already in place.' But recent lawsuits allege otherwise, accusing companies of denying claims in a matter of seconds. 4. Health insurers will increasingly rely on artificial intelligence Health insurers issue millions of denials every year, though most prior authorization requests are quickly, sometimes even instantly, approved. The use of AI in making prior authorization decisions isn't new — and it will probably continue to ramp up, with insurers pledging Monday to issue 80% of prior authorization decisions 'in real-time' by 2027. 'Artificial intelligence should help this tremendously,' Rep. Gregory Murphy (R-N.C.), a physician, said during the news conference. 'But remember, artificial intelligence is only as good as what you put into it,' he added. Results from a survey published by the American Medical Association in February indicated 61% of physicians are concerned that the use of AI by insurance companies is already increasing denials. 5. Key details remain up in the air Oz said CMS will post a full list of participating insurers this summer, while other details will become public by January. He said insurers have agreed to post data about their use of prior authorization on a public dashboard, but it isn't clear when that platform will be unveiled. The same holds true for 'performance targets' that Oz spoke of during the news conference. He did not name specific targets, indicate how they will be made public, or specify how the government would enforce them. While the AMA, which represents doctors, applauded the announcement, 'patients and physicians will need specifics demonstrating that the latest insurer pledge will yield substantive actions,' the association's president, Bobby Mukkamala, said in a statement. He noted that health insurers made 'past promises' to improve prior authorization in 2018. Meanwhile, it also remains unclear what services insurers will ultimately agree to release from prior authorization requirements. Patient advocates are in the process of identifying 'low-value codes,' Oz said, that should not require preapproval, but it is unknown when those codes will be made public or when insurers will agree to release them from prior authorization rules.
Business Journals
3 days ago
- Health
- Business Journals
2025 Connect in Nashville: Setting the agenda for health care's future
Eroding trust, soaring costs, accelerating AI and an exhausted workforce are testing the limits of even the most resilient organizations. This fall, the most influential voices in health care will unite to define what comes next. At the Health Evolution Summit XV, leaders laid the groundwork for what's ahead. Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), sparked a critical conversation about leadership in health care amidst a shifting societal landscape. He emphasized that the new administration is eager to work with industry leaders to ask difficult questions — not to assign blame for current challenges, but to reexamine the fundamental issues driving health problems. Oz called for a renewed focus on tackling root causes while offering a fresh perspective on the responsibilities of leadership in shaping the future of health care. As the health care landscape continues to shift, the Health Evolution community is stepping up to set the agenda. With the next administration taking shape and the need for clarity and collaboration more urgent than ever, 2025 Connect will bring together the leaders driving real progress — defining priorities, informing policy and shaping a system built to serve. expand WILDE COMPANY PHOTO Experience 2025 Connect in Nashville Join Health Evolution from Sept. 7-10 at the JW Marriott in Nashville for 2025 Connect. This event offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the collaborative energy of our unmatched community of executive leaders and engage in authentic, off-the-record discussions that drive industry transformation. At 2025 Connect, you'll be at the heart of cross-sector conversations with industry leaders, innovators and stakeholders. Our agenda fosters genuine interactions and collaborative problem-solving, providing an in-depth look at the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of health care. What to expect at 2025 Connect Over four days, you'll engage in dynamic discussions on the critical issues reshaping health care. You'll engage with thought leaders on deploying AI to address health care's toughest challenges, advancing equitable innovation, scaling effective care models, navigating policy change and more. Our conversations will go beyond the headlines to explore the underlying factors driving change. You'll gain insights on overcoming industry challenges, driving innovation and discovering transformative strategies. This is your opportunity to delve deep into the factors that will define the future of health care. expand WILDE COMPANY PHOTO At 2025 Connect, you'll have the opportunity to hear from and collaborate with health care's leading experts and decision-makers. Here's a glimpse of the topics our leaders will be tackling on the main stage: Crisis in confidence: Reckoning with consumer pain points, public sentiments, and loss of trust Reckoning with consumer pain points, public sentiments, and loss of trust Reengineering the consumer experience: Confronting the friction that fuels frustration Confronting the friction that fuels frustration Navigating the new policy landscape: Deciphering the latest developments and charting the course ahead Deciphering the latest developments and charting the course ahead Leading despite uncertainty: Finding untapped opportunities and inspiring bold action Finding untapped opportunities and inspiring bold action Putting AI to work: Deploying technology against our hardest challenges Deploying technology against our hardest challenges Delivering better care: Scaling effective models for treating chronic disease and an aging population Scaling effective models for treating chronic disease and an aging population Unlocking the full promise of personalization: Empowering longitudinal health and wellness Empowering longitudinal health and wellness Community milestone: Celebrating the 10th confab for advancing women in leadership Unlock your role among the brightest minds in health care Health Evolution Connect is your opportunity to be at the forefront of health care innovation. Engage in collaborative discussions, explore groundbreaking solutions and gain insights that will drive the future of the industry. Be part of a community that is not just observing change but actively driving it. Connect with top experts, uncover cutting-edge strategies, and redefine the future of health care. This event provides a dynamic environment where you can influence the industry agenda and explore pioneering solutions to today's most pressing challenges. Secure your spot today.
